As a mother, an author, and a motivational speaker, I absolutely believe in the power of positive self-talk.
The words we say matter.
Every word we speak or think about ourselves can have a significant impact on our confidence and self-esteem.
If we constantly put ourselves down or doubt our abilities, it can hold us back from achieving our goals and living our best life.
It can keep us playing small and stop us from taking important chances that can lead to incredible opportunities.
Take, for instance, when I took the challenge to climb Mount Kilimanjaro. Had I listened to the negative voice in my head, I would have never taken the chance and missed the opportunity of a lifetime.
On the flip side, if we speak kindly to ourselves and believe in our potential, we can accomplish great things.
Positive self-talk is key to living our best life.
Positive self-talk is the practice of speaking to ourselves in an encouraging and uplifting way.
It’s a technique anyone can use to replace negative self-talk and negative beliefs with positive ones. This can lead to improved self-confidence, greater self-esteem, and overall better mental health.
Here are some examples of positive self-talk:
“I am capable of achieving my goals.”
“I am worthy of love and respect.”
“I am strong and resilient.”
“I am deserving of success and happiness.”
“I am grateful for all of the blessings in my life.”
“I am confident in my abilities.”
“I am worthy of taking care of myself.”
“I am learning and growing every day.”
“I am proud of myself for overcoming challenges.”
“I am surrounded by positivity and good things.”
These are just a few examples of positive self-talk that we can incorporate into our day-to-day lives. They can be tailored to fit your own needs and beliefs.
The key is to speak to ourselves with kindness, compassion, and positivity—even in challenging situations.
Be mindful of your inner dialogue.
The first step to improving your self-talk is to become more aware of it. Pay attention to those things you say to yourself throughout the day.
Are your words negative or positive?
If you catch yourself speaking negatively about yourself, pause and ask yourself if those thoughts are serving you or holding you back.
If you don’t like the answer to that question, replace your words with dialogue that is more positive and demonstrates kindness for yourself.
For example, if you catch yourself thinking, “I’m not good enough” or “I can’t do this,” replace those thoughts with “I am capable” or “I can do this if I try.”
The more you become aware of your inner dialogue, the easier it will be to root out those negative thoughts and replace them with positive and uplifting words that will serve you better.
Use affirmations to jumpstart your positive self-talk.
If you know me, then you know how much I love affirmations.
Affirmations are positive statements that you can repeat to yourself to boost your confidence and self-esteem.
It’s important to choose affirmations that resonate with you and repeat them to yourself throughout the day.
Affirmations are a great way to start each day with positivity.
I have found that when I start my day with positive affirmations that define who I am and what I am capable of, I experience fewer instances of negative self-talk during my day.
I strongly encourage you to do the same. Begin each day with positive affirmations to jumpstart your positive self-talk throughout the day.
If you’re looking for some great affirmations, there is a free pdf that you can download from my website. In addition to that, every example of positive self-talk given above can be used as an affirmation.
For example, imagine how much better your day would be if you recited the following affirmation throughout the day: “I am surrounded by positivity and good things.”
If you focused on this statement throughout your day, you would be filled with positivity and begin to see all those good things that surround you.
This can also lead you to statements of gratitude. Focusing on what you’re grateful for can help you to shift your perspective and improve your mood even further.
Taking a few moments each day to reflect on the good things in our life and to then speak kindly to ourselves about them will make each day a great day.
Stop comparing yourself to others.
Comparing yourself to others can be detrimental to your mental health and cause your self-esteem to take a major blow.
It’s important to remember that everyone has their own journey and their own struggles.
One of the best things you can do for yourself is to focus on your own progress and growth instead of unfairly comparing yourself to those around you.
It’s important to acknowledge and celebrate your own accomplishments, no matter how small they seem.
When you achieve a goal or complete a task, give yourself credit and praise.
Say things like, “I did a great job,” or “I’m proud of myself for completing that.”
When you take your focus off what others are doing and pay attention to the good things you are accomplishing in your own life, it will help you to recognize that you are extraordinary just the way you are.
Take care of yourself.
Self-care is essential for maintaining positive self-talk.
Take the time to do things that make you feel good, whether it’s taking a bubble bath, reading a book, or going for a walk in nature.
When you prioritize your own needs and well-being, you’re better able to speak kindly to yourself.
Along those same lines, taking care of your physical health can also improve your positive self-talk.
Exercise and eat well. I have found that these two things bring so much positivity into my day. They may not always be something I love doing, but when I do them consistently, it gives me confidence and helps me feel so much better about myself.
When I feel good physically, it always translates into feeling good mentally, and I am better able to speak kindly to myself.
Positive self-talk is easier when we believe in ourselves.
The most important way to boost your positive self-talk is to believe in yourself.
Trust in your abilities, and don’t let self-doubt hold you back.
Remind yourself of your strengths and accomplishments, and know that you’re capable of achieving great things.
The more you believe in yourself, the less willing you’ll be to listen to those negative voices in your head and the more positive your inner dialogue will be.
The power of positive self-talk can’t be overstated. By being mindful of our inner dialogue, we can intentionally direct our thoughts to speak more kindly to ourselves.
In turn, this will create a more positive mindset and a better outlook on life.
So the next time you catch yourself speaking negatively to yourself, remember the power of positive self-talk and try implementing these tips to boost your ability to think positively.
You’ll be amazed at the difference this one simple choice will make.